Forskning

September 21, 2021

Evaluation of fungal contamination and ochratoxin A detection in different types of coffee by HPLC-based method

K Pakshir et al, 2021. Evaluation of fungal contamination and ochratoxin A detection in different types of coffee by HPLC-based method, J Clin Lab An, published online.

ABSTRACT:

Background: Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that are produced by some toxigenic fungi on foodstuffs which are poisoning and potentiate for human’s health hazards. In coffee samples, ochratoxin A and fungal contamination were examined.

Methods: Immunoaffinity columns were used for treating of all 50 samples from four types of coffee, after that high-performance liquid chromatography was used for determining the amount of ochratoxin. For the identification of fungi, all coffee samples were cultured in appropriated media.

Results: The results showed that all samples were contaminated by ochratoxin A but only up to 50% of them had toxins higher than acceptable level as detected in black beans (47%), green beans (33.3%), torch (33.3%), and espresso (25%). Black coffee had a higher mean concentration of ochratoxin A than green coffee.

Conclusion: Predominant fungi isolated from coffee samples were Aspergillus species. Finally, careful monitoring of mycotoxins in coffee samples is essential to improve the quality of this favorable beverage in future.